2011 Nissan Dualis Crossover Subtly Updated in Japan

The Nissan Dualis, which is the Japanese market version of the firm's European Qashqai, has received some modest refinements for the 2011 model year focused on the exterior, interior and improved fuel economy.

The styling enhancements to the compact crossover's exterior are limited to the reworked front grille, the chrome detailing on the door handles and a fresh design for the 18-inch alloy wheels, plus the availability of six new colors including a Brilliant White Pearl three-coat pearl paint finish.

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Nissan GT-R Official Safety Car for British Superbike Championship

The almighty Nissan GT-R will be the official safety car for the 2010 and 2011 seasons of the British Superbike Championship (BSB).

The two-year-long agreement between BSB series commercial rights holder MSVR and Nissan Motor GB will see a total of fleet of twelve Nissan vehicles comprising seven different models deployed in various roles in the championship.

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New Nissan Qashqai N-Tec with Tech-Savvy Upgrades

For 2009, Nissan is adding a new trim option to its UK bound Qashqai and Qashqai+2 (that's the seven-seater model) compact crossovers. Positioned between Acenta and Tekna grades, the n-tec trim level is available across all engines and transmissions. As the name suggests, the n-tec is all about tech-savvy goodies that include Nissan's Connect infotainment system that comprises color reversing camera, bluetooth connectivity, five-inch touch screen satellite navigation with 2D/3D map, CD with MP3/WMA playback, radio, AUX socket and USB port for full iPod connection.

Large 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, rear privacy glass, satin silver roof rails and satin silver door handles along with an auto-dimming rear view mirror and silver alloy pedals complete the equipment package.

Prices for the n-tec models range from £17,645 for the Qashqai 1.6 to £24,295 for the Qashqai 2.0d 4WD Auto with first deliveries expected in early May.

2010 Nissan Qazana Small Crossover: Production Model Rendered

At this month's Geneva Motor Show, Nissan took off the covers on the Qazana, an out-of-space concept study that supposedly previews the design of an all-new sub-Qashqai small crossover that is bound to enter production at the company's Sunderland factory in the UK in 2010. While we can't say how close or far the concept is from reality, the folks over at Japan's Best Car magazine attempted to give us an idea of the production Qazana with this artist's impression.

Our take? For Nissan's sake, we sincerely hope that the actual production model will look much better than both the rendering and the concept study... For more information and eye-soring photos on the Qazana Concept, click here.

Photo: Best Car

Love it or Loathe it: Nissan Qazana Small Crossover Study

Supposedly previewing Nissan's new small crossover model that's expected in 2010, the Qazana made its first ever appearance at the Geneva Motor Show. It goes without saying the production model that will be built at the firm's Sunderland plant in the UK, will feature a much less dramatic design that the concept study. That said, don't expect to see the Qazana's suicide rear-doors or 20-inch alloys making it into production.

"The Qazana concept is an intelligent, all-wheel drive crossover which is masculine, agile, lean, and designed for the tough city streets," said Atsushi Maeda, Studio Chief Designer, Nissan Design Europe. "Our team at Nissan Design Europe (NDE) in London realized this image with the motif of a modern day beach buggy and four-seat motor-bike," Atsushi added.

Mixing SUV and a few sports car styling cues like the low roofline, the design proposal for a "baby" Qashqai is quite compact measuring 4,060mm in length (110mm longer than a Ford Fiesta but 277mm shorter than a Focus), 1,570mm in height, 1,780 in width and has a wheelbase of 2530mm.

Inside, Nissan claims that the shape of the centre console and armrest have been inspired by the fuel tank and seat of a sports motocycle. "I enjoy the sensation of being at one with my bike and wanted to capture that feeling in Qazana," said Paul Ray, senior interior designer at NDE. ""The way the structure appears through the fabric of the interior also reflects motorcycle design and construction."

The Japanese automaker did not reveal any information on the concept's mechanics other than it is equipped with the firm's next generation fully electronic ALL MODE four-wheel drive with torque vectoring system.

Nissan Releases Teaser Shot of Qazana Small Crossover Concept

The undisputed star of the Nissan stand at next month's Geneva Show will be the Qazan Concept which promises to provide a good indication of the, as yet unnamed, small crossover that the Japanese automaker is readying for production at its UK Sunderland plant from 2010. While the first official teaser shot of the car leaves a lot to the imagination, Nissan did reveal that the Qazan is a five-door model with the rear doors opening forwards once the front doors have been opened, in the style of 'suicide doors'.

Nissan said that the trial builds of the production version will begin in early 2010 before its introduction on the Micra/Note line. There it will take up manufacturing capacity created when production of the current Micra ends later that same year.

Trevor Mann, Nissan Senior Vice President for Manufacturing in Europe, commented: "The difficulties currently facing the car industry have been widely documented, and Nissan has not been immune. As a result we have had to make some difficult decisions, but the reason we have done so is to secure a long and positive future for the plant. Qazana points the way to that future and gives an indication of the unique and exciting car we will be producing in Sunderland next year."

Nissan Adds Two New Engines to Qashqai+2 Crossover Range

In an effort to make the Qashqai+2 more affordable and desirable in an era of sluggish sales, Nissan is introducing two new smaller displacement engines to the vehicle's European range. The seven-seater crossover can now be specified with a 115HP 1.6-litre petrol and a 103HP 1.5-litre diesel engine, in addition to the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel units that are already available. The 1.5-litre dCi models that come complete with diesel particulate filter and six-speed manual transmission, are capable of 49.6 mpg UK (5.7 lt /100km) combined while clocking a 0 to 62mph (100 km/h) time of 13.3 seconds.

The Qashqai+2 1.6L petrol model that's equipped with a five-speed manual sees 62 mph (100 km/h) coming up in 12.9 seconds while it achieves 40.4 mpg UK (7.0 lt /100km) combined.

In the U.K. prices start at £15,495 for the 1.6 Visia, and £16,995 for the 1.5 dCi Visia. In Visia spec buyers get a huge fixed panoramic glass roof complete with powered sunshade, privacy glass and roof bars plus power windows, air conditioning, drive computer, Bluetooth hands-free, four-speaker CD audio system, six airbags and front seat active headrests. 16 inch alloys are fitted in place of the 17 inch items of 2.0-litre Qashqai+2s.

Acenta models gain 17 inch alloys, a leather trimmed steering wheel and manual gear knob, a centre rear armrest and a choice of interior trim colours. Furthermore, the audio system is upgraded to an in-dash six-disc autochanger, six speakers and steering wheel controls and the air con becomes dual zone and climate controlled. Automatic wipers and headlamps, cruise control and rear parking sensors complete the package.

Finally, the top of the range Tekna adds heated, leather seats with contrasting stitching, an Intelligent Key, xenon headlamps and an auto-dimming interior mirror. ESP is an option on all 1.5 and 1.6 models.

NISSAN QASHQAI+2 PRICES
	1.6 petrol	1.5dCi
Visia	£15,495.00	£16,995.00
Acenta	£16,995.00	£18,495.00
Tekna	£18,120.00	£19,620.0